The Njord (IMO: 9241102), a Djibouti-flagged Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) is being towed to Hong Kong after a recent engine blackout caused it to drift dangerously close to the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.
No casualties have been reported so far, nor has foul play been reported at this point.
The sudden engine blackout took place over the weekend, during the fully-laden tanker's voyage from the Nipa Anchorage in Indonesia to northern China's Port of Yantai.
In response to the emergency at the South China Sea, Beijing's Sansha Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) issued a navigation warning, urging maritime traffic nearby to proceed with caution, as per a Marine Traffic report.
After arrangements were made to secure the fully-laden vessel—in order to stop it from drifting towards the Paracel Islands, which would result in a crash and/or oil spill—towing operations were initiated by Chinese authorities.
The MSA also recently issued a navigation warning on Tuesday that rocket debris had fallen in some parts of the South China Sea between 10:15 AM and 12:15 PM (local time), and that navigation was prohibited in these areas, as per Chinese media reports. Navigation has also been prohibited in those areas.
However, it is not yet known whether the MSA advisory applies to the area of the South China Sea where the Njord is being towed.
Built in 2003, the 332.9-metre-long tanker's engine will be repaired from Hong Kong, after which it will resume its journey to the Port of Yantai.
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